Space Sci-Fi backdrop

Space Sci-Fi movies

Space is central: ships, stations, missions, alien worlds, and survival or conflict beyond Earth.

The Martian

1. The Martian

Drama Adventure Science Fiction Survival Adventure Space Sci-Fi
8.0
20152h 21min

Overview

During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive.

Themes

Reliance on scarce resources, Isolation and ingenuity, Improvisation under pressure, Survival through resourcefulness, Technology mediated connectivity, Risk versus safety expediency

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Interstellar

2. Interstellar

Adventure Drama Science Fiction Exploration Adventure Space Sci-Fi
8.7
20142h 49min

Overview

The adventures of a group of explorers who make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage.

Themes

Trust vs deception, Family bonds under strain, Survival under catastrophe, Time and memory, Duty and personal choice, Scientific uncertainty

Available on

Amazon Video
MGM+ Amazon Channel
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Guardians of the Galaxy

3. Guardians of the Galaxy

Action Science Fiction Adventure Superhero Action Space Sci-Fi
8.0
20142h 1min

Overview

Light years from Earth, 26 years after being abducted, Peter Quill finds himself the prime target of a manhunt after discovering an orb wanted by Ronan the Accuser.

Themes

Trust under pressure, Betrayal and deception, Found family dynamics, Resilience under threat, Collective risk taking, Power versus responsibility

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Ender's Game

4. Ender's Game

Science Fiction Action Adventure Space Sci-Fi Military Action
6.6
20131h 54min

Overview

Based on the classic novel by Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game is the story of the Earth's most gifted children training to defend their homeplanet in the space wars of the future.

Themes

Military school discipline, Chosen one pressure, War strategy ethics, Alien invasion resilience, Child prodigy isolation, Starship duty conflicts

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Gravity

5. Gravity

Science Fiction Thriller Drama Space Sci-Fi Survival Thriller
7.7
20131h 31min

Overview

Dr. Ryan Stone, a brilliant medical engineer, is on her first Shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski in command of his last flight before retiring. But on a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes. The Shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalski completely alone-tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness of space. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left. But the only way home may be to go further out into the terrifying expanse of space.

Themes

Survival under pressure, Memory and longing, Isolation in space, Trust and dependence, Human connection under crisis, Improvisation under crisis

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Europa Report

6. Europa Report

Science Fiction Thriller Space Sci-Fi Survival Thriller
6.4
20131h 30min

Overview

A crew of international astronauts are sent on a private mission to Jupiter's fourth moon.

Themes

Found footage aesthetics, Private mission ethics, Pursuit of extraterrestrial life form, Isolation aboard spacecraft, Risk of space travel, Space adventure challenges

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Hulu
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Star Trek Into Darkness

7. Star Trek Into Darkness

Action Adventure Science Fiction Epic Action Space Sci-Fi
7.7
20132h 12min

Overview

When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.

Themes

Loyalty versus duty, Deception within leadership, Power struggles under crisis, Weaponization ethics, Trust and betrayal in war, Obedience versus rebellion

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Lockout

8. Lockout

Action Thriller Science Fiction One-Person Army Space Sci-Fi
6.1
20121h 35min

Overview

Set in the near future, Lockout follows a falsely convicted ex-government agent , whose one chance at obtaining freedom lies in the dangerous mission of rescuing the President's daughter from rioting convicts at an outer space maximum security prison.

Themes

Deception and betrayal, Loyalty under pressure, Authority and responsibility, Wrongful accusation under power, Confinement and control, Resilience under captivity

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Iron Sky

9. Iron Sky

Action Comedy Science Fiction Satire Space Sci-Fi
5.9
20121h 33min

Overview

In the last moments of World War II, a secret Nazi space program evaded destruction by fleeing to the Dark Side of the Moon. During 70 years of utter secrecy, the Nazis construct a gigantic space fortress with a massive armada of flying saucers.

Themes

Secrecy producing deception, Militarisation of space as leverage, International governance under strain, Technological leverage against rivals, Propaganda from political power, Legitimacy contested by power blocs

Available on

Amazon Video
The Roku Channel
Plex
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars

10. Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars

Horror Science Fiction Drama Mystery Adventure
8.8
20091h 2min

Overview

In a Mars base, the inhabitants are being infected by a mysterious water creature which takes over its victims. The Doctor is thrust into the middle of this catastrophe, knowing a larger one is waiting around the corner.

Themes

Duty vs autonomy, Resilience in crisis, Fixed-point fate, Ethical consequences of intervention, Altruism under pressure, Leadership under existential threat

Available on

Hoopla
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.